Retired Anglican Archbishop suggest true federalism at second birthday colloquium
The Most Rev. Tunde Adeleye, retired Archbishop of Anglican Diocese of Calabar, first full time Chaplain of Chapel of Redemption, University of Calabar (1991-2000) and deputy chairman, Board of Missions in church of Nigeria (Anglican communion) has called for true federalism to solve the hydra-headed problems Nigeria is facing as a nation in his remark at a birthday colloquium held in his honour at Event 45 center on Monday February 12, 2024 in Calabar, themed “recovering Nigeria through transformational leadership.’’
The keynote speaker and Bishop, Anglican Diocese of Ika, Delta state, Rt. Rev. Godfrey Ifeanyi Chukwa Ekpenisi who double as President, Anglican Children Ministry Nigeria as well as member, Delta State Peace and Advisory Council, opined that it is sad and disheartening that at 64 years after Nigeria’s independence and 54 years after the civil war, Nigeria is still in thralldom, its citizenry pine away in the vice-like grip of political intolerance, unbridled with violent outburst of ethnic-religious and primordial sentiments across the nation and for which the security forces remain clueless, unsolved politically and religiously motivated kidnapping, killing, serial murder, general lawlessness, banditry, unbridled official corruption, outright state robbery are the order of the day. He appealed for a rethink by our leaders.
He used the occasion to appreciate the convener of the event, the Rt. Rev. Prof Nneeoyi Onen Egbe, Lord Bishop, Anglican Diocese of Calabar and his wife, Dr. Mrs. Ada Francesca Nneoyi-Egbe (JP) for immortalizing our father in the lord Most Rev. Tunde Adeleye with his second edition of the colloquium which has overtime become a powerful lighthouse of enlightenment and a store home for breeding seasoned Christians who will promote positive political thoughts, thereby positioning themselves as agents of good governance and change in the society.
He said in his concluding statement that Transformational Leadership engages others through a social process of change and involves the relationship of shared purpose between the leaders and the followers to achieve transformational change.
Discussants at the program included a former member of Cross River State executive council, Pastor (Barr.) Mrs. Rosemary Archibong, Prof. (Barr.) Abiodun Dada and Prof S.J. Etuk both from Uncial and UCTH who all agreed that Nigeria needs evidential change if those in authority and positions of leadership would liverage on the rich natural resources and human capacity to our advantage.
Other dignitaries at the occasion were the State chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Rev. Dr. Etim Caifas, Hon. Dr. Bassey Ibor who read citation of the key note speaker and members of the Cross River State Christian community and traditional rulers council.
By: Archibong Emmanuel
(Snr. Reporter)
